78-year-old completes 1,000-mile paddlethon’ for Wareham library

Dick Wheeler began his “paddlethon” around Wareham and Cape Cod’s coastline on Oct. 11 at Besse Park . Wheeler finished his mission in 46 days, much sooner than his goal of 70 days.

Kelly Onanian

Wareham man kayaks 1,000 miles for library

The paddlethon of local coastline raised $50,000 for the library, which faces losing state certification

Dick Wheeler wants to set his kayak up in the town library as a 171/2-foot-long piggy bank.

The 78-year-old finished his 1,000-mile kayaking adventure to raise money for the Wareham Free Library.

Wheeler began his “paddlethon” around Wareham and Cape Cod’s coastline on Oct. 11 at Besse Park. Wheeler finished his mission in 46 days, much sooner than his goal of 70 days.

“I was anxious to take advantage of every day I could get out there,” Wheeler said. “I was darn sure each time I completed over 20 miles, because the weather was getting really dicey.”

Wheeler is known for his 1,500-mile environmental awareness trip by kayak from Newfoundland to Cape Cod in 1991 that resulted in an award-winning NOVA documentary and “Hero for the Planet” selection by Time magazine.

He came up with the idea of a paddlethon for the library after learning it faced losing its state certification. The library was forced to reduce hours to 25 per week Sept. 15 after its budget was cut by $200,000. The lack of hours means the library will likely lose its certification, which means the loss of state aid and ability to apply for grants.

Wheeler, in partnership with the group Community Supporters of Wareham, have raised nearly $50,000 for the library.

“Wareham cannot become a town without a library,” he said. “I think of all the kids that might have been ignited by contact with a librarian who sends them home with an armful of books about something they’re interested in, and the people that need help seeking jobs or getting a GED.

A GPS device tracked Wheeler’s path, which along with his kayaking journal, can be viewed at: www.warehampaddle.wordpress.com.

He plans to continue fundraising efforts and has big plans for his kayak, which he named after former longtime Wareham Free Library Director and Selectwoman Mary Jane Pillsbury, who died in September. from liver cancer.